SHOP: Canadiens Authentic Pro Jogger Sweatpants
Here are a few main storylines from the South Shore:
Mesar: ‘I need maybe two more years to be stronger’
Filip Mesar has made his presence felt at training camp this week, but he isn’t getting ahead of himself.
The 18-year-old Slovak insists that he isn’t NHL material just yet because he still needs to mature physically to compete at hockey’s highest level.
Playing in a couple of intrasquad scrimmages showed Mesar that he must bulk up his 5-foot-9, 176-pound frame to go head-to-head with the best on this side of the pond.
“I think I was well prepared for this, but I need maybe two more years to be stronger and ready to play in the NHL,” explained Mesar, who was selected 26th overall in July. “We did some testing here, so I’ve got the paper with the results. I know what I need to do better and I will do it this coming season.”
Video: Filip Mesar on his training in Montreal
The Canadiens’ prospect hopes to play with the AHL’s Laval Rocket during the 2022-23 campaign, but he could also be headed to the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers because they own his CHL rights.
That’s a decision general manager Kent Hughes and his staff will eventually make.
“I want to play in the AHL, but if not, maybe one year in the OHL will be good for me,” mentioned Mesar. “Whatever Montreal says is the best option for me, I will go to play there and I will try to be the best.”
The Kezmarok native relished centering a line alongside Cole Caufield and Mike Hoffman.
A fellow first-round pick, Caufield was impressed with Mesar’s skill set.
“He’s easy to play with. He flies around and has a lot of energy,” praised Caufield. “And he’s a lot of fun to play with, too.”
Video: MTL@NJD: Mesar scores on the power play
Off the ice, Mesar has been enjoying spending quality time with his countryman and good friend Juraj Slafkovsky.
Affectionately labeled as “Batman and Robin” by veteran Chris Widemanthe pair has remained especially close in their new hockey home.
“Chris is a funny guy. I like him a lot. I’m ok with that nickname. Every day when Juraj and I come to the rink, we’re together. Chris looks at us and says, ‘Hey, guys! Look at you, you’re still together! We’re together everywhere and we’re helping each other,” said Mesar. “I like it, and it’s easier for me to have my friend here.”
Xhekaj: ‘I feel good with the pace and the speed’
Arber Xhekaj continues to make his case for a roster spot with the Canadiens.
The towering 6-foot-4, 238-pound defenseman was a standout at the 2022 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, NY and has kept that momentum rolling.
“I feel comfortable out there. I feel good with the pace and the speed, and I feel like I’m making good plays and playing my game, so I definitely feel like I have a good shot,” insisted Xhekaj, who helped the Hamilton Bulldogs won the OHL Championship last season. “I just take it day by day and focus on my next task.”
Video: Arber Xhekaj on his performance at Rookie Camp
An invitee to Rookie Camp last fall, Xhekaj earned a subsequent invite to main camp and was quickly signed to a three-year, two-way contract in October 2021 through the 2023-24 season.
With three years of junior hockey under his belt, the 21-year-old Hamilton, ON native believes his time to join the NHL ranks is now.
“I always believe in myself and I always think that I’m ready. Even last year, I thought I was ready, but obviously they thought I wasn’t. That’s just the mindset I have going into every camp,” explained Xhekaj. the OHL’s most penalized player last season. “I’m playing with a lot of confidence here. That’s the biggest thing. You’ve got to play with confidence, and if the confidence isn’t there, then my game doesn’t go as well.”
Admittedly, Xhekaj wasn’t pleased with his showing in Western New York.
He’s “definitely satisfied” with his effort during the scrimmages, though.
“These games were huge for me because obviously at Rookie Camp I wanted to show them my physical side, and sometimes I was getting out of the play. I wasn’t feeling my game too much. A lot of people said I did well, but I wasn’t feeling my game on the puck-moving side and making plays how I want to make plays. This is huge for me and a big opportunity to show I can play,” explained Xhekaj. “I always found my whole life that whenever I played with older guys, I jumped to their level and I excelled at my game, so I definitely found it a little easier.”
Being paired with Jordan Harris has been a huge assist, too.
Xhekaj is adamant that he’s an ideal partner for him.
“We match each other pretty well. He likes to jump in the offense, I like to jump in the offense, and he’s never making bad plays or throwing me in a bad position,” praised Xhekaj. “We complement each other’s games a lot.”
Caufield, Gallagher score scrimmage beauties
There were some pretty goals on Saturday that are definitely worth a second look.
Caufield’s game-winning tally for Team A in the first scrimmage was sweet.
Alternate captain Brendan Gallagher also scored in that contest for Team C.
Goaltender Antoine Coulombe was helpless on the sequence.
Expect some more goals during Sunday afternoon’s Red vs. White intrasquad scrimmage at the Bell Center.
Puck drop is 3:00 pm ET.
.